EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT PIERCING WITH EVAN

OMIGOD! You guys asked, now it’s my turn to deliver.

PIERCINGS!!! SO many of you have DM’d me asking specifically about my piercing. I wanted to get back to you ALL in a timely manner with this post.

First of all: meet EVAN. I was introduced to Evan by my best friend, Erica of Fashionlush. She raved about him non-stop. Finally I went in & pulled the trigger. Literally. He pierced me! Evan works at Enigma Piercing in Northpark, CA. & is a total fucking badass in the piercing industry.

He takes his craft as serious as a heart attack. He doesn’t screw around- everything is sterile, thought out & well done. You should also know his place of work has the coolest little studs & hoop earrings. We found a few similar earrings to the ones I have here (moon), here (spike),  here (conch) & here (cross hoops) but if you’re in San Diego go see Evan & he will set you up.

Before you meet him & get specifics, I have to note: I prefer bright white, diamond-y earrings because I feel like it brightens the whites of the eyes & teeth…which is ideal…especially when taking a selfie. Evan knows my crazy theories so he really helped me lay my piercings out strategically.

SO WITH THAT, MEET EVAN- he’s going to give you the 411 on piercings & he will break down EXACTLY what I have.

+ HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE PIERCING WORLD/GIVE US YOUR BACKGROUND.

Evan Spencer: I got into piercing at a young age ( 17 ). Before that I was always interested in it.

I grew up in the 90’s when that scene started to get popular in alternative culture, and I was fascinated by it. I honestly wanted to learn how to do it, just to do it. I thought it was the coolest thing ever.

I was able to get a formal apprenticeship at a studio in Scottsdale ( where I lived at the time ) and devoted most of my time to learning everything I could, taking anatomy classes, microbiology classes, learning about appropriate materials for jewelry, and high quality jewelry.

I wanted to learn how to do everything the safest way possible with the best end result. I loved the idea of helping someone create something unique, and being able to facilitate a positive experience.

+ WHAT IS THE WORST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER HEARD WHEN IT COMES TO PIERCING?

ES: Oh man, there’s a lot of bad advice and misinformation out there when it comes to piercing. The worst is probably “you can get it at ( insert name of random place ) for cheaper”.

When going with cheaper options, you’ll almost always sacrifice quality.  Some of the worst advice for aftercare I hear is the use of harsh chemicals, or twisting/rotating jewelry while healing.

Also going with a cheaper product as far as jewelry cost is concerned is generally bad advice. There’s so much low-quality, mass-produced overseas jewelry out there now, you don’t really know what you’re getting as far as safe material unless it’s made in the US under our metal standards.

+ WHY NO PIERCING GUNS?

ES: Piercing guns… So this design is based on what is being used to tag livestock. There’s no way to properly sterilize the body of the piercing gun ( it’s plastic and would melt under the conditions in a steam autoclave)  not to mention the people using these devices aren’t properly trained in cross-contamination/preventing disease transmission.

The piercing gun pierces with the piece of jewelry, which creates a tear in the tissue rather than a clean wound, which makes significant amounts of scar tissue more likely, is more painful, and more complicated for the body to heal.

We see a lot of problems/infection due to the use of piercing guns.

Luckily, these days a lot of people, including parents, are doing research and bringing their children to professionals for earlobe piercings. This way the piercings are done safely, accurately, and with single-use implements.

+ IS PIERCING AN ART? WHY?

ES: Is piercing an art? I think this question is a point of contention in our industry. Personally I would view the actual process as a technical skill. However, I think picking out certain pieces of jewelry/having jewelry custom-made, and determining where to place certain piercings or multiple piercings on someone’s anatomy requires a bit of an artistic flair.

I would ask the person wearing the jewelry, do you think your piercings are art?

You may get different answers but you know, in the eye of the beholder as the saying goes.

+ WHAT DID YOU PIERCE ON ME?

ES: I’ve pierced your conch, your helix, your earlobe,  and your rook. You’re super fun to work with because of your taste and willingness to experiment with different options.

Generally, you’ll come in with an idea of what you want or a picture for reference. Since everyone’s anatomy is different I get to take a look at your ideas, and suggest something that works with your particular anatomy. Then we get to decide on jewelry options, which is half of the fun!

There’s so many unique pieces being made these days and they each give a piercing a different look.

MY PIERCINGS:
+ conch: bowl-shaped part in the center of your ear
+ helix: cartilage
+ rook: fold of cartilage above your conch
+ first, second & third earlobes

+ WHAT ARE SOME BRANDS ONLINE THAT HAVE GOOD JEWELRY?

ES: The online jewelry sales is a tough one to answer. A lot of quality brands don’t sell online. My favorite brand ( Body Vision Los Angeles ) only sells to high-end piercing studios. Of course I’m going to tell you to come into the studio and purchase jewelry since that’s our business model.

The best brands in the industry are Anatometal, Body Vision, Industrial Strength, and Intrinsic. Some pieces can be found on Body Art Forms which is an online retailer, and lately we’ve been looking into starting an online retail format.

+ HOW SHOULD YOU CLEAN A PIERCING?

ES:  My suggested aftercare is sterile saline wound wash twice daily, and a thorough rinse at the end of your shower. Keep the jewelry clean and the area dry.

I do not suggest the use of harsh chemicals such as alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Chemicals are too harsh for a healing piercing.  They will kill new cellular growth faster than the body can produce it, as well as dry the area out.

Most importantly, don’t touch or play with your piercings while they’re healing!

+ BODY PIERCINGS: TIPS?

ES: Here are 6 tips:

+ Eat a meal or small snack before getting pierced, it’ll make sure your blood sugar is at a healthy level, and make the process much easier!

+ Find out who is an APP member in your area ( Association of Professional Piercers ).

+ Make sure the studio you’re getting pierced at uses high-end jewelry, all US made, either implant grade titanium, or solid gold.

+ Take the advice of your piercer when choosing placement/ jewelry options.

+ Follow your piercer’s aftercare!

+ Pick jewelry you’ll be happy with for the duration of your healing process.

Quality work and quality jewelry cost money, and it will be money well spent when you have a happy, healed piercing.

+ NIPPLES!! DO THEY HURT? ANY TIPS FOR NIPPLE PIERCINGS?

ES: Yes they hurt! But not as badly as you think. This also depends on the skill level of your piercer, and the quality of the needles and jewelry used. I use only the highest quality, silicone-coated needles. The jewelry also plays an important factor.

You never ever want to be pierced with externally threaded jewelry( where the threads are carved on to post ). This is would be akin to running serrated metal through the wound, and can cause a lot of damage.

Always make sure jewelry for all piercings is threaded internally.

+ 3 TIPS FOR GETTING THE BEST PIERCING EVER.

ES: Do your research and find a reputable piercer!

Relax. The more relaxed you are the easier the whole process is.

Ask your piercers opinion on placement/jewelry style or options. A trained professional will have a good eye for this aesthetic, and make will be able to make it compliment and flow with your anatomy.

+ WHERE CAN EVERYONE FIND YOU?

ES: I’ve been professionally piercing for 16 years. I can be found at Enigma Professional Piercing studios in San Diego, and on instagram @evanspencerw.

You can call me or message me to set something up. I’ll take appointments as well as walk-ins, and love working with people’s ideas and getting a feel for them, so we can create something unique and amazing!

THANK YOU EVAN FOR BEING ON THE SKINNY CONFIDENTIAL. STALK EVAN ON INSTAGRAM & CHECK OUT ENIGMA PIERCINGS HERE. Tell Evan The Skinny Confidential sent you if you go get pierced & you will receive 10% off your piercings- have fun! & of course, if you have any questions for Evan leave them below.

x, lauryn

CREATE SOME BODY ART